Ashton's 14th Birthday

We're in full swing birthday mode at the Atwood house and next in line is Ashton.  Ashton turned "14" on March 17th.  14!!!  Wow.  I can't believe he is 14.  I can remember the day I gave birth to my first sweet baby like it was yesterday.  He's such a great young man and we are so grateful he is a member of our family.

Ashton started off his birthday with a breakfast party with the young men from our ward and one additional friend from school who the boys all know since he is in our stake as well.  These boys had a great time.  Jason and I fed them a breakfast of homemade waffles with berries and whipped cream, hash browns, scrambled eggs and 2 packages of bacon.  They ate every last bite.  Jason and I even had to make ourselves something different for breakfast since nothing was left. 

After breakfast, they hung out downstairs.  They played video games and had an epic nerf gun battle (or so I've been told).  We had originally planned for the party to go until 1 p.m., but we were booting kids out of here around 2:45 p.m.  We didn't mind at all though, what a great group of guys.

When the party had wrapped up we had a little surprise for Ashton.  I had noticed a couple weeks ago that there was a coin show in town this weekend.  Ashton enjoys collecting coins so we thought he'd really enjoy it, which he did.  He bought himself a $1 and $2 dollar bills, as well as a Statue of Liberty coin made from pieces of the actual statue after a renovation.

We went to IHOP for dinner and then home to finally open presents.  Ashton loved his presents and spent the rest of the evening putting his Ship in a Bottle lego set together.

We wrapped up a great birthday yesterday when Ashton was able to be advanced in the Priesthood of our church and made a Teacher.  We are so pleased Ashton with the good decisions you are making in your life.

Happy Birthday Ashton!  We love you so much!

Deacon and Temple Trip

Turning 12 years old is a special time for a young man in our church when he receives the Priesthood.  A couple of weeks ago following Bowen's birthday, Bowen was made a deacon in our church by his dad.  To mark the special occasion we had extended family join us.  We were pleased so many were able to come.  All my siblings and their families came, as well as Jason's mom and brother Mitch.

After church, we had everyone over for dinner.  I served one of Bowen's favourites - chicken stew on biscuits, caesar salad, pistachio salad and chocolate dessert.  It was great to have everyone over to spend some time with us and we were even able to skype with mom in Montreal.

The following Saturday was another special day when Jason and I took Bowen to the Calgary Temple to do baptisms for the dead for the very first time.  Bowen was very excited and it was a nice experience for all of us.  Bowen was able to do 8 baptisms and confirmations.

On the way home from the temple we stopped at Toys R Us so Bowen could buy himself something with a gift card he got for his birthday.  At checkout the guy behind the counter says to Bowen "Man, you look snazzier than I will ever look my whole life".  I must say Bowen looks pretty smart in his new suit.

I'm very proud of Bowen for the good choices he's making in his life.  He's becoming such a great young man.